Piszczek started his career as a striker. In 2001, he joined Gwarek Zabrze, where he broke many goalscoring records at junior level and in 2003 won the Polish youth championship.[1] In 2004, he became the top scorer at the U-19 European Championships (along with Turk Ali Öztürk).

Hertha BSC was attracted by this performance and promptly signed him, then immediately loaned him out to Zagłębie Lubin. With Zagłębie, he won the league championship during the 2006–07 season. At Zagłębie, he played mainly as a left winger in 4–3–3 formation (with Wojciech Łobodziński on the right wing and Michał Chałbiński in the center), although he was often utilized as a centre forward. He scored 11 goals in 2006–07 season, becoming the club's second best scorer after Chałbiński (13 goals).

In the fall of 2007, Hertha recalled the player. Piszczek scored his first goal in the Bundesliga on 26 April 2008 to earn a point against Hannover 96.

Piszczek missed most of the first half of the 2008–09 season as the result of a hip problem that eventually required surgery.[2] He began training again in February 2009 but in March suffered a setback due to a minor knee injury.[3] He returned to Bundesliga action in April. At Hertha, Piszczek initially played as an offensive midfielder or on left wing, but in his second season he started to appear as a right back, after injury to Arne Friedrich. After Friedrich recovered, Piszczek lost his place in the starting line-up, but reclaimed it in 2009–10, when Friedrich moved to centre back position.

On 19 May 2010, Piszczek moved to Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer, signing a contract until June 2013.[4] On 26 July 2011, he signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until June 2016.[5] On 24 September 2011, he scored his first goal for his new German club, a last-minute volley to win the game away to Mainz 2–1.[6]

Piszczek made his first appearance for the Poland national football team in a friendly versus Estonia on 3 February 2007. On 6 June 2008, he was added to the Polish squad for Euro 2008, to replace the injured Jakub Błaszczykowski. He made one appearance, coming on a sub against Germany, but was injured in the training session for the next game and took no further part in the tournament.[7]

On 29 July 2011, the PZPN imposed a six-month suspension on Piszczek for participation in the fixing of a 2006 Cracovia match in which he did not play.[8] In September 2011, the suspension was cancelled.

Piszczek played in all three games of Poland's Euro 2012 campaign and had a good performance in Poland's opening game against Greece.

Piszczek scored his first International goal against Ukraine on 22 March, which was quickly followed by his second four days later against San Marino.

Piszczek was born in Czechowice-Dziedzice, Bielsko and raised in Goczałkowice-Zdrój. His father, the coach of the local football club, decided to bring him to one of the training sessions at the age of about 7–8. His brother, Tomasz, was also involved in football.[1]

Piszczek married his fiancee Ewa Piszczek in June 2009.[9] The couple's daughter, Sara Piszczek, was born 3 March 2011.[10]